In late September/early October Andy was asked to travel to Colombia to present his masters research during his annual work meeting.  Two weeks in Colombia provided an excellent opportunity to experience much of the interior of the country and to see just how advanced they are in their forestry practices.   The trip began in Cali  and then  headed south to Popayán.  We then headed back north to Cali and then on to Buga, Manizales, and eventually Pereira.  While the entire trip was amazing some of the highlights included walking around the “white city” of Popayan and taking in the colonial Spanish architecture, the enchanting city of Buga with the majestic Basilica del Señor de los Milagros (Lord of the Miracles), and relaxing in any one of the numerous natural hot tubs at Termales El Otoño in Manizales.  The trip began in the valley between the western and central Andes and ended up in the mountains at Manizales.  Hopefully the rest of the family will be able to visit Colombia some time in the future and do some more recreational stuff in the Andes and visit the Caribbean region in the north of the county

Ficus tree at the Iglesia de San Antonio in Cali

Iglesia de San Antonio in Cali

Mural of El Gato del Río/El Gato De Tejada

El Gato De Tejada

One of El Gato De Tejada’s many female companions in the Cat Park

Excellent Colombian soda and Almojábana at Marco Polo bakery. Also pictured are the less impressive Chontaduro

Armed security during the field tours

Police on the busy streets of Popayan

Old Burroughs (of the famous William Burroughs family name) adding machine in the Hotel La Plazuela, Popayan

ostia con arequipe in Popayan, next time will probably stick to plain arequipe (caramel)

Dog in sweater in the Popayan city square

Llama for the kids to ride in Popayan

Typical Spanish colonial architecture found in Popayan

Getting it done

Balcony view from my room at the Hotel Guadalajara in Buga

Park at the Lighthouse In Land in Buga

Tire shop at which we had to replace a bus tire

Reserva Natural El Hatico sugar cane farm, visit outside Buga

Sheep dog at Reserva Natural El Hatico

Termales El Otoño Hotel

Termales El Otoño Hotel

My cabin at Termales El Otoño Hotel

Termales El Otoño Hotel

Coffee farming in the Andes

Mountain biking near the harvesting training center near Manizles

Watershed study visit in the rain in the Andes, fitting

Bande paisa, I went with the veg version

Santa Rosa de Cabal

Coffee plant in Pereira

Coffee fruit in Pereira

Coffee bean in Pereira

Dirt bike track in Pereira, would have been a much better option than the enjoyable Ukumari Zoo we visited, next time!